Police say a man in a “Scream” costume murdered his neighbor in Lehighton on Monday, then returned home to watch a movie.
The state police stated that Zak Russel Moyer, 30, planned to murder his neighbor, Edward Whitehead Jr., 59, due to crimes he believed Whitehead had committed.
Moyer has been charged with one count of homicide and has been taken to Carbon County Prison without bail.
Authorities were called to the 200 block of Carbon Street around 3:30 p.m. on Monday following an assault report. Whitehead was attacked with a knife and a chainsaw, as per court documents. He was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital-Carbon Campus, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Upon reviewing surveillance footage, investigators observed a man in a “Scream” costume entering the rear of Whitehead’s home. A “Scream” costume consists of a black hooded costume with a white ghost mask and is featured in a horror movie series of the same name.
After searching the area, the police located the individual, later identified as Moyer, at his home, according to court documents.
Moyer allegedly informed officers that he thought Whitehead was involved in certain recent crimes. He surrendered to the police without resistance.
Initially, Moyer claimed to have gone to the home to frighten Whitehead, according to court documents. He carried a knife and a small chainsaw, as per authorities.
Upon further questioning, Moyer confessed to intending to kill Whitehead because of the crimes he believed were committed. Police stated that he admitted to stabbing Whitehead with a knife and then returning to his home, where he concealed the chainsaw and knife. He proceeded to watch a movie until the authorities arrived, the police reported.
Moyer was arraigned on Tuesday morning, and there is no attorney listed for him.
Man charged in Lehighton homicide; police say he assaulted man with a ‘piercing object’ [Updated]
